ERA needs defining, says Danish Research Minister Denmark's Minister for science, technology and innovation, Helge Sander, has called for foundation to be given to the concept of a European research area (ERA) and goals to be specified so that initiatives can be planned. Speaking to the European Parliament's Committee on ind... Denmark's Minister for science, technology and innovation, Helge Sander, has called for foundation to be given to the concept of a European research area (ERA) and goals to be specified so that initiatives can be planned. Speaking to the European Parliament's Committee on industry, external trade, research and energy, Mr Sander highlighted the advantages that ERA will bring to European research, particularly in terms of an increased budget for collaborative research. 'EU funded research only represents about five per cent of Member States' total public expenditure on research. Obviously there are profits to be reaped, especially if we can increase cooperation regarding the remaining 95 per cent as well. This, then, brings us to the idea of building lasting bridges between the research and innovation policies of the individual Member States and those of the Community. It is in this context that we find the foundation for the concept of the European research area,' said Mr Sander. Mr Sander also posed the question of 'how far are we in Europe willing to go with regard to coordination and cooperation in the area of research?' This fundamental question is closely linked to discussions on the future of the EU, he added. The Danish Presidency's highest priority in the area of research is progress towards the development of the ERA, said the minister, who added that his own vision of the ERA involves 'the integration of levels and instruments.' Another priority is to keep alive the debate concerning the consolidation of the Lisbon process. Mr Sander promised that the Presidency will further this agenda at Council meetings and events organised by Denmark during the autumn. All that remains to be done regarding the Sixth Framework programme (FP6) is the reaching of an agreement on the specific programmes. Ethical concerns mean that this has not yet occurred. The Presidency drew up a compromise to be agreed by Member States by written procedure during August, but not all Member States were able to formally adopt the compromise by written procedure. An agreement is expected in September. Under the Danish Presidency, the Research, Information Technology and Telecommunications Councils have merged to form one Council. Regarding information technology, Mr Sander outlined the work that the Presidency will do in the area of eEurope 2005, and particularly in relation to the indicators to be used for benchmarking analysis. 'Even though statistics appear to be boring to many of us, it is through these measurements that we have the opportunity of determining whether we stay on the course that has been decided politically. The Danish Presidency sees its task as one of putting flesh on the bones regarding the plan's implementation,' said Mr Sander. On telecommunications, Mr Sander recognised that the enthusiasm for progress has faded somewhat, but that the industry must seek to move forward again. 'This is no time for exaggerated pessimism,' said Mr Sander. 'As European institutions, we must continue to steadily put in place the basics of a secure legislative and political framework, which will help our industry recover its confidence and move forward again, on a surer footing than before, convincing our consumers to trust the Internet to play an ever greater role in their daily lives.' Countries Denmark
